plate no. 4349

Rue Montmartre, Paris

oilImpressionismgenre paintingstreet scenefiguresbuildingsflowerstreescityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand atmospheric perspective and how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and values. It also provides practice in capturing light and shadow with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and perspective lines, focusing on the buildings and street.
step 02
Establish the basic value structure with a thin wash of neutral colors.
step 03
Block in the larger areas of color, such as the buildings, street, and sky.
step 04
Add the figures, starting with the larger ones in the foreground and gradually working towards the background.
step 05
Develop the details of the buildings, including windows and architectural features.
step 06
Paint the flowers and foliage, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Refine the light and shadow, paying attention to the direction of the light source.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · gray · white · ochre · brown

secondary · blue · red · green · purple

Mix various shades of gray by combining white, black, and small amounts of other colors. Use ochre and brown to create the warm tones of the buildings and street. Mix greens from blues and yellows, and use reds and purples sparingly for accents.

techniques